S650 Darkhorse R Mustang Challenge Car #58 Build Thread Profile - S650 Mustangs

[OPMustang Tim]

You guys probably know this guy as well...also the Kid leaning against the golf cart would collect a $100K check a few hours later. Also a very famous factory Corvette racer in this picture who has defected from the Dark Side, to the Dark Horse.

 

[steveespo]

I have a bunch of photos from Indy I'm still going through. But you know this Guy!View attachment 99022

Great shots from Tim coming. Thanks sir.

 

[steveespo]

You guys probably know this guy as well...also the Kid leaning against the golf cart would collect a $100K check a few hours later. Also a very famous factory Corvette racer in this picture who has defected from the Dark Side, to the Dark Horse.
View attachment 99023

And some fat guy doing his media job in the back of the car.

 

[blacksheep-1]

Christian had a 7th and an 8th in those races...with the added benefit of being able to drive the car on the hauler.

 

[steveespo]

Christian had a 7th and an 8th in those races...with the added benefit of being able to drive the car on the hauler.

Sheet metal Mafia FTW!

 

[KazarS197]

Christian had a 7th and an 8th in those races...with the added benefit of being able to drive the car on the hauler.

Nice. I'm happy for him that he's catching his groove.

 

[KazarS197]

You guys probably know this guy as well...also the Kid leaning against the golf cart would collect a $100K check a few hours later. Also a very famous factory Corvette racer in this picture who has defected from the Dark Side, to the Dark Horse.
View attachment 99023

Robert's a really nice guy and a great driver. This is his 1st dive in the car working out the initial bugs @ Pitt Race Memorial Day weekend with Chin.

 

[steveespo]

Photo of our Team supporters and crew. By far the biggest fan base in Mustang Challenge, thanks to all who have cheered us on. 2025 will be even more amazing.
Support our supporters when you track your Mustangs
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[biggsy]

Congratulations you the team for a successful season!

A few podium finishes and ending the season without sending the car and driver into a wall. Looking forward to next year and hoping to make it to an event in person.

Also thanks for so the information you both have shared with your experience this year. It’s cool to see the process and what all is involved.

 

[Black Boss]

That's it! Season finished. Can't believe the season flew by so fast. What an amazing experience! IMSA runs a spectacular series and Ford Performance and FPRS support was just as impressive.

Indy was a great finale for the season. Two solid races, with significant pace and consistency improvement in race 2 thanks to coaching from Craig Capaldi.

Finished P4 for the season in Legends and P11 overall. An absolutely Fantastic experience and I can’t wait for 2025!!!

Thanks to Tim and Optimum Performance Racing, LLC, Chin Track Days and Capaldi Racing for their help, encouragement and support. Special thanks to the Capaldi team and Steve Esposito who have been at every event.

Also to the many friends, including many here, for the support.

Can't wait for 2025, with the season opener at Sebring and then off to Le Mans mid year. Meanwhile some photos from Indy:

 

[dragoon]

Congratulations for your great racing season and 2025 will be even more awesome, can’t wait !! See the team out there as much as possible for sure.

 

[OPMustang Tim]

Oh, I see some new stolen pictures for the website in my future...

 

[KazarS197]

Oh, I see some new stolen pictures for the website in my future...

There's no stealing. It's borrowing for life.

 

[steveespo]

Our inaugural weekend in the Mustang Cup series last week in New Orleans was loads of fun and very successful. The 58 Car was very quick and after only one orientation session at NOLA, driver Nick "Stonewall" Smither got right on the pace, going 4th and then 3rd quickest overall on the time sheets in Test day session 2 and Practice day sessions 1,2,and 3. New Mustang racer Will Lucas (remember the name) was P1 and veteran Grand Am "legend" Craig Capaldi was right with him in P2. We had pace, long run speed and confidence in the NJS58 Dark Horse R and our veteran driver. Qualifying for Race 1 Miles Cup was hard fought but a few small mistakes left the 58 in P5, .25 from P4 and .56 seconds from P3. That would not remain the situation come race time though. After debriefing, with Michelin Pilot Cup Mustang GT4 driver and coach Sam Paley, and some small suspension and tire adjustments by the crew to make Nick have the feel on the brakes he was looking for, the 58 charged out of the gate at the start. Gaining one position on the entry to turn 1 on the start, Nick just set out to take 3rd overall from Chase Corcoran in the Grabber Green #4 car. On Lap 3 Nick made the move stick at Turn 3 and set off trying to build a gap on the 4 and 8 Cars. But our first "natural" podium was not to be, Chase stayed in touch for 17 hard fought laps. And on lap 20 made a bold move in the brake zone of Turn 1 nosing ahead and holding the preferred line through 2 and 3 taking 3rd spot overall. Nick was not done by any means though. After giving up a gap of 1.4 seconds, Nick proceeded to run the 3 fastest times of those remaining 3 laps OVERALL!!. But even though he closed down to within .4 seconds, Chase hang tough and a last ditch attempt into 11 caused Nick to overshoot the entry and was only able to bring it home 4th overall and 2nd (Podium) in Dark Horse Legends. Plus Nick earned the Hard Charger Award for the Race with most overtakes of the day. Will Lucas in the #34 won the race by about 8 seconds over DHL winner Craig Capaldi in the Capaldi Racing #68. An excellent showing as we started the pursuit of the Mustang Cup Legends Championship. Race 2 report to follow shortly, and it only gets better...............

 

[jaylarold]

Question for @steveespo @Black Boss - So the shifter that you guys use in these cars; is it a part that can be ordered and would it fit a stock Tremec? I'm guessing there's some other modifications going on with the transmission as well. Would love to get something with a little more verticality since the cue ball gets a little slick during a hot and sweaty track session.

Another stupid question: do you guys get to use No lift shifting and auto rev match or are those assists removed in these cars?

Thanks for posting it's been really cool to follow along! Wish I could have seen you guys at the Watkins Glen IMSA race but I guess being at Le Mans is pretty cool, too...

 

[biggsy]

Question for @steveespo @Black Boss - So the shifter that you guys use in these cars; is it a part that can be ordered and would it fit a stock Tremec? I'm guessing there's some other modifications going on with the transmission as well. Would love to get something with a little more verticality since the cue ball gets a little slick during a hot and sweaty track session.

DARKHORSE 3160 SHIFTER KIT

<p>Service replacement part for Darkhorse "R". Includes short throw shaft, reverse lockout and new shifter handle</p>

capaldiracing.com

 

[steveespo]

DARKHORSE 3160 SHIFTER KIT

<p>Service replacement part for Darkhorse "R". Includes short throw shaft, reverse lockout and new shifter handle</p>

capaldiracing.com

That will work on the stock Tremec

 

[steveespo]

Question for @steveespo @Black Boss - So the shifter that you guys use in these cars; is it a part that can be ordered and would it fit a stock Tremec? I'm guessing there's some other modifications going on with the transmission as well. Would love to get something with a little more verticality since the cue ball gets a little slick during a hot and sweaty track session.

Another stupid question: do you guys get to use No lift shifting and auto rev match or are those assists removed in these cars?

Thanks for posting it's been really cool to follow along! Wish I could have seen you guys at the Watkins Glen IMSA race but I guess being at Le Mans is pretty cool, too...

View attachment 103852

The cars have both flat shift and rev match. We can shut off the rev match (no one does since it is a slightly different than stock calibration, and very good) and the flat shift is as easy as just not holding foot to the floor. nick likes it so he mostly uses it.

 

[biggsy]

Hey Nick,

Do you happen to have any pictures of the diff cooling set up underneath the car? I am curious to see how the mounting plate is used and where everything is placed. Thank you!

 

[steveespo]

Hey Nick,

Do you happen to have any pictures of the diff cooling set up underneath the car? I am curious to see how the mounting plate is used and where everything is placed. Thank you!

Will get pics, but on the DHR the twin cooler matrix' are mounted on the vertical rear seat bulkhead where the OEM fuel tank used to be. If you have a stock tank there isn't room there. The pump is a Tilton style diaphragm knock off (Genesis) that is mounted vertically on the back of the rear subframe near the differential cover. I would invest in a Setrab Gearotor style pump as we have had failure on the pump seals throughout the paddock.